Botswana-South Africa trade reaches R82bn
Pauline Dikuelo | Tuesday June 2, 2026 10:07
This was revealed by Botswana Investment and Trade Centre’s Chief Operations Officer, Anthony Sefako, last week. Speaking at Thursday’s Botswana-South Africa Business Forum, he said the two economies remain deeply interconnected through banking systems, integrated supply chains, mining operations and broader trade relations. From an annual import bill of approximately US$6.4 billion, 61.3% of imports originate from South Africa, officials revealed. According to Sefako, imports from South Africa reached nearly $4.2 billion in 2024 and were largely dominated by fuel valued at $ 602 million, motor vehicles for resale, electrical appliances, Portland cement and vehicles used for transporting goods. On the export front, Botswana exported goods worth almost $600 million to South Africa during the same period. Major exports included non-industrial diamonds, ignition wiring sets, electric conductors for voltage transmission, pure-bred breeding cattle, soda ash, bituminous coal, live cattle, as well as linen and kitchen linen products.
However, despite the strong bilateral trade relationship between Botswana and South Africa, Sefako expressed concern over the low levels of intra-African trade, which currently accounts for only 20% of the continent’s total trade activity. He told the forum that Southern Africa possesses enormous potential to emerge as a leader in renewable energy particularly solar production, but emphasised that stronger cooperation amongst African countries is essential to unlock these opportunities. “What we need is to redouble efforts to remove barriers which hinder trade amongst our countries. We cannot afford to work in silos; we need to work together,” said Sefako. The forum formed part of the 6th Botswana-South Africa Bi-National Commission (BNC), which aims to strengthen political, social and economic cooperation between the two countries. It attracted approximately 200 business delegates from Botswana and South Africa, who engaged in discussions focused on strengthening collaborative partnerships across key strategic sectors.
These sectors included agribusiness, light manufacturing, infrastructure development, renewable energy and business services. The Bi-National Commission was co-chaired by Botswana President Duma Boko and his South African counterpart, Cyril Ramaphosa. The two leaders expressed satisfaction with the cordial state of bilateral relations and welcomed the expanding scope of cooperation under the BNC framework. The Presidents agreed that the Commission continues to serve as an effective platform for deepening collaboration, promoting sustainable economic growth, advancing regional integration and improving the prosperity of citizens in both countries.
They further noted that 28 bilateral legal instruments are currently under implementation and welcomed the signing of four additional agreements. These include a Memorandum of Agreement on the joint management of water quality and aquatic invasive species in the Upper Limpopo River Basin, an agreement on aeronautical search and rescue services, an agreement on cooperation in the field of energy, and a Memorandum of Agreement on cooperation in correctional and prison services. To accelerate progress, the two Presidents directed ministers and senior officials to establish a Coordination and Implementation Committee tasked with ensuring the timely execution of programmes and agreements under the BNC framework.
The leaders also reaffirmed their support for regional integration and sustainable development under the Southern African Development Community framework. In addition, they reiterated their commitment to African Continental Free Trade Area and Agenda 2063 as important instruments for promoting industrialisation, inclusive economic growth and economic transformation across Africa. During the meetings, progress was also noted in several strategic areas of cooperation, including Special Economic Zones, livestock disease management, mineral beneficiation, electricity trading, tourism, environmental conservation, digitalisation, science and technology, health security, education, skills development, sports, arts and culture. Furthermore, Botswana and South Africa resolved to accelerate the implementation of several High Impact Priority Projects (HIPPs) aimed at strengthening economic integration and regional connectivity.
These include the North-South Corridor Development, the Mmamabula-Lephalale Railway Line Project, the Lesotho-South Africa-Botswana Water Transfer Project, cooperation on fuel storage and petroleum infrastructure, collaboration on the prevention and management of Foot and Mouth Disease. They also agreed to speed up the establishment of One Stop Border Posts, implementation of 24-hour operations at major border posts, refurbishment of the Martin’s Drift/Groblersbrug Border Post, SACU industrialisation initiatives, and cross-border agricultural value chain projects.